Apparatus for mashing grain



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T.HAYE& APPARATUS FOR MASHING. GRAINQ- No. 295,004. PatentedMsir. 11,1884 fittest Inventor NNNN snammum amr. wumv m n. a

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T., HAYES. APPARATUS FOR MASHING GRAIN. I

No. 295,004. Patented Mar. 11, 1884 N, FCIERS. Phokvlilhagnpher.Washington. D I;

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T. HAYES.

. I --APPARATUS FOR MASHING GRAIN N0. 295,004.v Patented Mar. 11, 1884.

Smarts lJN rn TIMOTHY HAYES, OF ANDERSON S FERRY, OHIO.

APPARATUS FoR MASVHING GRAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 295,004, dated lvlarch11, 1884.

Application filed November 6, 1883. (N0 model.)

To 61/ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TIMOTHY HAYES, of Andersons Ferry, in the county ofHamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Mashing Grain, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to apparatus for mashing grain in distilleries; andit consists, first, in a novel arrangement of devices whereby the slopfrom the high-wines or beer-still is used to mix with the small grain ormalt in a special malttank and to mix with the large grain in themash-tankproper, the slop being sepa rated as it comes from the stillinto the solids, which, by suitable traveling brushes, is swept into aspout, to be finally conveyed to the slop or feed tubs and into theliquid, which is conveyed by a suitable trough and spout into theslop-tub, from which it is drawn as required into the tanks, for mixingthe small grain and for mashing the large grain, an overflow spout orpipe from the slop-tub carrying the excess of liquid slop into thepreviously-mentioned spout leading to the feed-tubs; and, second, in anovelconstruction of closed mix ing-tank for mixing the small grain ormalt with the slop or water, as may be required, in combination with anovel construction of a closed mashingtank for mixing the large grainfirst with the slop or water, as required, and, finally,.fo r mashingthe large grain and the previously-mixed small grain or malt together tocomplete the mash.

The system which I shall hereinafter fully explain is known as mashingunder pressure, but the pressure I employ is low-but two or three poundsabove the atmosphereand comprehends closed vessels for the reception ofthe slop, for mixing the small grain, for mashing the large grain andsmall grain or malt, and for receiving the mash after it has been mixedand heated properly in the mashingtank. In my system the small grain (ormalt) is mixed with the requisite quantity of liquid slop (or slop andwater) in a separate tank providedwith an agitator or rotary rake drivenby suitable belt or gearing, and annular jacket, through which water maybe passed to cool down the slop previous to the admission of small grainor malt, while the large grain is first mixed with the requisite amountof liquid slop in a separate mashing-tank providedwith suitablesteam-boiling pipes and a rotary rake or agitator, and connected bymeans of a closed pipe and valve with the tank for mixing the smallgrain or malt and slop.

able pump, through a system of cooling-pipes into the customaryfermen'tingtubs.

My system embraces, in the order of, their operation, devices forseparating theslop into the liquid and solid matter; delivering thesolid matter through pipes or troughs to the feed-tubs and collectingthe liquid slop in a tub or reservoir, from which it is drawn for mixingor mashing, as required; separate vessels connected with the slop-tub,in which the small grain or malt is mixed, and in which the large grainis mixed and heated and the mash completed; a closed receiver into whichthe mash is dumped 'from the mashing-tank; a pump to takethe mash fromthe receiver and pump it through the coolers; and any suitablearrangement of cooler-pipes to cool down the mash 011 its way to thefermentingtubs, all of which will be fully described here? inaftcr. I

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a general elevation ofthe several devices embraced in my improved system of mashing. Fig. 2represents, partly in elevation and partly in section, the devicesforseparating the solid and liquid matter in the slop, for storing theslop, and for distributing it to the mixing-tanks. Fig. 3 is atransverse section of the slop-separating mechanism. Fig.

4 is a plan of the devices shown in- Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 represents, partly in section and partly in elevation, themixing-tank for small grain,

the mashing-tank, the receiving-tank, and the pump and cooling-pipes.

The mashingtank is also provided with an annular jacket,

Similar letters of reference indicate similar 7 i parts.

A is astill of any approved style, for the con version of becrmash orwort into high-wines, from the lower chamber of which the sloppipe toleads to the separator B, upon the screen or perforated plate I) (seeFig. 4) of which the slop is spread by the fan-tail a.

b b are brushes of any suitable construe tion, arranged transverselyupon the endless belt t and driven in the direction of the arrows, Figs.1 and 2, by means of pulleys I) I), pulley I), belt b, and pulley 1)upon lineshai't B.

b is a trough suspended under the screen I), and arranged to collect theliquid slop from the separator B, and deliver it by means of pipe intothe slop tub or reservoir. As the slop is delivered by pipe to andfan-tail a upon the perforated plate or screen I), the latter interceptsand retains the solid matter, while the liquid iiows through theperforations of screen 1) into collecting-trough b while the travelingbrushes 1) b sweep the solid matter as rapidly as it is deposited fromthe plate or screen I), and finally, by means of the stationary brushI), deposits it in pipe or spout I), whence it is conveyed by gravity tothe feedtubs. (Not shown.)

(1 is an overflow-pipe from tub C, which conveys any excess of liquidslop into pipe 1).

B is a hood orhousing arranged above sepa rator B, to collect the vaporwhich may arise, and by a suitablepipe convey it fromthemashroom.

E is a tank for mixing of the small grain or malt previous to itsintroduction into the mash-tank, provided with a spout or hopper, c, andvalve 0, Fig. 1, through which the small grain or malt, previouslyweighed into hopper E, is conveyed to the tank, and an agitator orrotary rake, 0 which is driven by pulley c, belt 0', and pulley c online shalt B at any proper speed to mix the small grain and slop. Abranch pipe, 0', from sloppipe C, provided with valve 6", controls theadmission of liquid slop to the tank E, while a pipe, E, and valve 6controls the discharge of mixture of small grain and slop to themash-tank. The tank E is constructed of an inner shell of copper oriron, 0 and an outer jacket of wood, e,with a space of oneinch be tweenthe shells, to form a water-jacket, to be used when it is desired tocool down the water or slop to the proper degree for the admission ofthe small grain or malt. c", Fig. 1, is the water-inlet, controlled byvalve c and c is the water-outlet, from which the heated cooling-wateris conveyed away by a suitable pipe.

F is the mash-tank for mixing the large grain and for making the mashafter the coir tents of tank Eliave been drawnintoit. This tank isprovided with the slop-pipe c, Fig. 5, and valve 0, to regulate thedraft ofliquid slop from tub C, and with an agitator or rotary rake, f,to stir the mixture of grain and slop. A hopper, f, and valvef receivethe weighed grain (after it has been ground) from the weighing-hopper F.

f is a steam-pipe, provided with stop-valve ,f and numerous smallsteam-pipes f fflwhich l branch from pipe f and pass through shells f"and f T intothe mash-tank F, to furnish the heat for the mash.

f is a vent-pipe with stop-valvc f, to vent the steam from mash-tankafter the cooking process is completed. A man-hole and cap, 1", permitsof entrance to the tank F for cleaning when necessary. The shcllf oftank Fis ofwood, and the shellf is of copper to resist the corrosiveproperties of the acids of the slop. The agitator-f is driven bypulleyf, beltf, and pulleyf on line-shaft B.

1 is the inlet-connection for the supply of water to the jacket of tankF, and F the water-outlet, from which the heated water is conveyed awayby a suitable pipe. The cock f regulates the how of water to the jacket.

G is the receiving-tank, provided with pipe g and valve 9, whichcontrols the inflow ot' mash from tank F.

H is a pump of any approved kind, which takes the mash from tank Gthrough suetionpipe h and pumps it through the cooler .T. This coolermay be of any approved form suitable for the rapid and completeabstraction of the heat from the mash in transit to the customaryfermenting-tubs.

\Vhen desired, the tanks E and F may be supplied with water, either hotor cold,through pipes K Kli and stop-valves 7.: It" 7.? 7;, one pipe, K,furnishing cold water, and the other pipe, 1i, furnishing hot water.

C is a valve in pipe C, to control the flow of liquid slop to eithertank E or F".

L L are glass tube gages, placed, as shown, in the ends of the tanksEand F, respectively, to indicate the quantity of slop drawn into saidtanks from pipes c or c",- and H M are ordinary mercurial thermometersplaced in tanks E and F, respectively, as shown, to indicate thetemperatures of contents.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The rakes c and f beingfirst started, slop is taken in sufficient quantities, as shown by glassgage L, into mashingtauk F, and, if required, this slop is then cooledto the proper temperature (by means of the described water-jacket) foradmission of the charge of weighed meal of corn or other grain fromweighing-hopper F. Directly the slop'is suiticiently heated to receivethe meal, the meal is introduced, the valve-stem f is opened, and theheating of the slop and meal carried on. The meal having been introducedinto tank F, valve f in the tank F is closed and the meal stirred byrake j", (which is in constant operation while the apparatusis in use.)The mixture of meal and slop is then stirred, and heated fromstcam-jetsfi until the process of cooking is completed, when thesteam-valve f is closed and the steam-vent valvcf on the top of tank Fopened to blow out the vapor from tank F. The contents of the tank arethen cooled by the wateracket to the proper temperature for admission ofsmall grain or l l I l l l l malt, which has meanwhile been. mixed, aswill be described, in tank E. During the time the previously-describedoperation is go ing on in tank F, tank E has been operated to preparethe small grain ormalt for the mash in the following manner: All otherconnections to tank E being closed, cock 0 011 pipe 0 is opened and therequisite quantity of slop,

as shown by glass gageL, drawn into it. Cock or valve 0 is then closedand the temperature of slop reduced, by means of the water-jacketpreviously described for this tank, to a proper degree for admission ofthe charge of previouslyweighed small grain or malt in theweighing-hopper E. (See Fig. 1.) The slop having been cooled to'theproper temperature, valve 6 (see Fig. .5) is opened and the grain ormalt introduced. Valve 0 is then closed. The'rake c (which is always inmotion) then stirs and mixes the solution of small grain or malt andslop until itis ready to be charged into the previously-cooled mash intank F. Valve e.is' then opened and the contents of tank E charged intotank F. Valve 6 is then closed and the mixture of contents of tanks Eand F thoroughly stirred or mashed in tank F, when the whole isdischarged into receiving-tank G through pipeg and valve 9. After thecontents of tank F have passed into tank G, valve is closed, and thepreviously-dc-' scribedoperation for tanks F and E repeatedindefinitely. The contents of tank F are first prepared because of thegreater length of time required to cook the mash. No steam or heat otherthan that obtained from the slop is used in tank E, and the steaming orcooking of con; tents of tank F takes place prior to the intro ductionof the slop and small grain or malt from tank E. Alter the mash isdelivered to the receiving-tank G,it is then pumped through the coolerJto the customary fermenting-tubs (not shown) while a new mash is beingpre pared.

The novelty of my invention lies chieflyin the use of slop for mixingwith the small grain in tank E and corn or other grain in tank F,whereby a larger yield of spirit is obtained from a given amount ofgrain by the amount of spirit obtained from the unconverted slop. Theslop may be worked over indefinitely until it becomes so thick that hotor cold water may be required to thin it through the pipes and valvesprovided for that purpose."

The liquid slop from the tank 0. may be charged to the mashing-tank F,yeasted, and worked over to obtain the spirit fromit by the usualprocess of fermentation in distillation.

I am aware that horizontal mixing or mash ing tanks with rotary rakes tostir the contents, and the necessary connections therewith ,for water,meal, small grain, steam, and for discharging the contents, are not new,but have been used heretofore for mashing with high-pressure steam. ThisI do not claim.

The within-described process is in no manner calculated to injure themash, and, as demonstrated by practical experience, adds from two tothree quarts of spirit to the yield per bushel of mash, and permits ofrapid handling of the materials, (the process being practicallycontinuous,) and enables a small plant to accomplish a large amount ofwork. The mixing and receiving vessels being all closed to theatmosphere, no oxidation of the mash can occur previous to the deliverythereof to the fermenting-tubs. Besides, the mash room is always freefrom vapor or condensation of steam, the well-known deleterious ef fectsof a foggy damp atmosphere in the mashing-house being entirely avoided.

I am aware that in an apparatus for separating malt extract from husksor refuse mash there has been combined an endless revolving foraminousapron, a pair of pressure-rolls, and a brush for cleaning the meshes ofthe apron, and a suitable receptacle for collecting and securing theliquid portion, which con 'stitutes the malt extract, and I lay no claimthereto.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combination of theseparator B, the tub O, to receive the slop therefrom, the tanks -E andF, each composed of an inner and outer shell and provided with anagitator, the pipe 0, leading from tub O and canimunicating by branchpipes with the tanks E and F, said pipes being provided with suitablevalves, means for introducing small grain into tank E, means forintroducing large grain and steam into tank F, the line-shaft B, andbelts connecting said line-shaft with pulleys on the shafts of agitatorsin tanks E and F, and the pulley on a traveling belt of the separators,substantially as described.

2. The combination, with pipe a, tub G, spout D, and pipe cl,connect-ing tub G with spout D, of the separator composed of the screenI), the belt 11 provided with brushes b, and trough b, substantially asdescribed.

3. The combination, with pipe a, tub G, and spout D, of the separatorcomposed ofthe screen 2),- the belt If, provided with brushes '1),trough F, and brushes b If, substantially as described.

4. The combination of tanks E and F, comvalve, pipe 0, leading from pipe0 to tank E. pipe 0 leading from pipe 0 to tank F, pipe K, connectingpipes c c, and pipe K, leading to pipe K, the several pipes beingprovided with valves, substantially as described.

5. The combination of mixing-tank E and mashing-tank F with slop-tank Gand receiving-tank G, pump H, and cooler J, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to the foregoingspecification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- TIMOTHY HAYES.

WVitnesses:

CHAS. ANDERSON, J osnrrr W. SiMs.

IOU

municating through pipe E provided with a

